No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;        
Am an attendant lord, one that will do        
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,        
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,        
Deferential, glad to be of use,              
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;        
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;        
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—        
Almost, at times, the Fool.        

I grow old … I grow old …              
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.        

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?        
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.        
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.        

I do not think that they will sing to me.              

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves        
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back        
When the wind blows the water white and black.        

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea        
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown              
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.